Flathead Ford 6, attempting to hotwire

[waynes50coupe]

I have a new battery and solenoid on my flathead 6 "1948" Ford engine in my 50 coupe and attempted to hotwire today, running a wire from the coil to the battery and jumping the solenoid. All I get is the solenoid clicking. I went back and ensured all connections were clean of crud and tight. Any suggestions to help get my flathead Ford started...

 

[Shadetree]

Your starter may be stuck. Put it in 3rd gear and rock the car back and forth. Remove your jumper wire to the coil first! If the starter is not stuck check your connection between solenoid and starter.

 

[waynes50coupe]

Thanks I'll check to see if the starter is stuck in the morning, the cable to the starter was a bit loose, but I secured it today, no change.

 

[meric42]

I have seen starters wit dead spots on the armature causing just the symptom you describe. If the starter is jammed the cables will get warm quite quickly. You can check if there is high current drain in the starter circuit by turning on the headlights then try the starter. If the headlights dim significantly then the starter may be jammed, if not then there is no current going through the starter motor.

 

[Tinker]

Assuming the engine ran before.

 

[waynes50coupe]

Assuming the engine ran before.

yep the flat 6 ran when it was in a 1948 Ford pickup that I purchased it from.

 

[Mike B]

Solenoid clicking generally means not enough power/amps getting there, if starter were stuck or the engine was stuck, I think you'd only get a "click".

I'd make sure connections are all clean and shiny then still put a charger on the new battery.

 

[Mike in AZ]

does the engine turn over by hand now??.....then continue on to starter, etc....Mike

 

[harley]

If you drive with a hot-wire make sure you have a kill switch inside. Harley

 

[BobbyG]

Ground motor to frame - or as we say - Earth engine to Chassis.

Bob

 

[George/Maine]

Is the 50 a key start or button. Make sure you have the one for the car correct.
Your big wires could be backwards.

 

[waynes50coupe]

does the engine turn over by hand now??.....then continue on to starter, etc....Mike

Yep, the engine turns over by hand, today I pulled the starter to ensure it is good.. someone mentioned grounding the flathead, it has a ground strap connected to the firewall thanks for the advice...,

 

[George/Maine]

You should have a push button start,Its works my grounding the selinode small terminal.If you have a key start Neg wire to small terminal.The selinode for the car and truck should be the same.The starter lug threads could be stripped or the wires on sel are baskwards

 

[APDAVE]

Put the ground on the engine And run a ground to the firewall from the engine. Dave

 

[Dick Webber]

A lot of people laughed until they raced him, but a guy I went to High School with won a lot of drag races in a 49 Ford 6 with OD. It was a great city block stop light racer

 

[Rock Hornbuckle]

I had the same problem in a '50 Ford when I was 15 years old. An old mechanic told me to clean the terminal on the starter.

 

[Pete/Ct.]

Make sure your battery is fully charged then work from there. Pete/Ct

 

[41LjH]

Are you 6 volt + or 12volt - ?
That will make a difference.